Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation - 7M sport

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation

UNAI EMERY has claimed that Mesut Ozil was fit to play against BATE Borisov and that they should still have won without him.


Posted Friday, February 15, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation
Arsenal boss Unai Emery left Mesut Ozil at home (Image: GETTY)

The Gunners were stunned in Belarus, as BATE recorded their first ever win against an English side.

Stanislav Dragun headed home the winner just before half-time.

Alexandre Lacazette was shown a straight red card after elbowing Aleksandar Filipovic.

Arsenal failed to provide the forwards with any kind of service, posing the question as to why Mesut Ozil was at home if he was fit to play.

The German had ruled himself out for the win at Huddersfield last Saturday due to illness.

And Emery, who has had numerous bust-ups with Ozil this season, hit back at claims after the match that his side missed the midfielder’s creativity.

"Every player is okay to play,” he said in his post-match press conference.

"Today those that were here, we can win with them and we deserved that.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation
Alexandre Lacazette was shown a red card (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation
Mesut Ozil's Arsenal future remain a serious doubt (Image: GETTY)

"Last week we won and we played with the same players. No different performance.

"We deserved to win but didn’t get the result. They were very organised.

"Not for one player or another. We can win with every player and lose with the same players.”

Arsenal thrashed BATE Borisov 6-0 at home in last year’s competition and they will need to find their goalscoring touch if they are to proceed to the Round of 16.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation
It was a frustrating night for Unai Emery (Image: GETTY)

"I knew before the match it would be two games. I respect them and watched matches they played,” Emery added.

"We worked to stop them but they scored one. In attacking moments we had more chances than them but the last action was not efficient. We did all to win.

"The next game we will continue our work today.”

The former Sevilla boss won the competition three times with the Andalusians and therefore will have the nous to overturn the scoreline in north London.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery stands by Mesut Ozil SNUB despite Europa League humiliation
It was BATE Borisov's first ever win against an English side (Image: GETTY)

"We play another 90 mins next week and I’m sure it’s going to be different,” he continued.

"First half was a good performance, we had chances to score, sometimes last week we had chances and it’s goal and today is not. I am happy with players’ effort.

"Defensively when they were 1-0 they were organised and competitive. Our big opportunity is next week at home. Today is not the result we wanted. We deserved more but they worked for this. Next week is going to be different.”



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